O my Muslim sister, after bearing witness to the Kalimah Tayyibah (the declaration of faith), prayer is the second pillar of Islam. Performing it at its appointed time is one of the most virtuous deeds; while neglecting it is considered disbelief, and establishing it is a sign of faith. On the Day of Judgment, you will be questioned about your prayers. Allah the Exalted says: (فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًا) Translation: “So establish the prayer. Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at specific times.”
He also says: (حَفِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَى) Translation: “Guard strictly the [five daily] prayers, especially the middle prayer [‘Asr].”
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The distinction between a man and shirk and kufr (polytheism and disbelief) is the abandonment of prayer.” He also said: “The covenant between us and them is prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief.”
Prayer is the foundation of goodness in this world and a means of mercy and reward in the Hereafter (Akhirah). It was the first act of worship that Allah made obligatory on His servants, and all the prophets were commanded to observe it.
Allah, quoting Ibrahim (peace be upon him), says: (رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ) Translation: “My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, accept my supplication.”
Praising Ismail (peace be upon him), He says: (وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَبِيًّا وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِ مَرْضِيًّا) Translation: “Indeed, he [Ismail] was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. He used to enjoin upon his family prayer and zakat, and he was pleasing to his Lord.”
Addressing Maryam (peace be upon her), He says: (يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ) Translation: “O Maryam, be devoutly obedient to your Lord, prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].”
And from the words of ‘Isa (peace be upon him), He says: (وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا) Translation: “And He has enjoined upon me prayer and zakat as long as I live.”
Allah threatens those who neglect prayer: (فَخَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا) Translation: “Then came after them successors who neglected prayer and followed desires; so, they will meet with destruction.”
He also says: (فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ) Translation: “So woe to those who pray, [but] who are heedless of their prayer.”
That is, those who are careless about their prayers, do not give it importance, and are unbothered whether they miss it entirely, delay it, or fail to observe its pillars, conditions, and rulings—rendering their prayer invalid.
A person who abandons prayer will end up in Hell. The Qur’an narrates a conversation between the people of Paradise and those in Hell. When asked what caused them to enter Hell, the first reason they mention is neglecting prayer: (مَا سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ قَالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ الْمُصَلِّينَ) Translation: “What led you into Hell?” They will say, “We were not of those who prayed.”
Prayer is a vital necessity, like water and food. Water and food sustain the body; prayer strengthens the soul and grants peace of mind. Prayer removes anxiety from the heart of the worshipper and gives them resilience to face life firmly, just like the firmness of prayer itself. Prayer is the pillar of Islam, the link between the servant and Allah, a sign of gratitude, and a proof of His love. It is the dividing line between a believer and a disbeliever. Prayer is the greatest barrier against sins and the strongest chain that restrains Satan and one’s desires. It is the first action for which a person will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. If it is accepted, all other deeds will be accepted. If it is rejected, then all other deeds will also be rejected. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: «إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا يُحَاسَبُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ صَلَاتُهُ، فَإِنْ صَلُحَتْ فَقَدْ أَفْلَحَ وَأَنْجَحَ، وَإِنْ فَسَدَتْ فَقَدْ خَابَ وَخَسِرَ» Translation: “The first matter the servant will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgement is his prayer. If it is sound, he will succeed and prosper; but if it is corrupt, he will fail and lose.”
Given the great importance of prayer, it is essential that honorable women pay special attention to performing this great divine obligation on time, as true success in both worlds lies in taking one’s religion seriously.
Another issue that deserves special attention here is the Fajr (dawn) prayer, in which many people—men and women alike—show negligence and laziness. This neglect is seen throughout the year, especially during the summer. Even among men who attend other congregational (Janaza) prayers, many are absent from Fajr prayer. This is the case in large and small mosques alike—and even in homes. There are women who carefully perform all other prayers, yet show neglect toward Fajr, and the majority end up missing it. The same is true for men.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: «مَن صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فَهُوَ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللهِ، فَلَا يَطْلُبَنَّكُمُ اللهُ مِن ذِمَّتِهِ بِشَيْءٍ، فَإِنَّهُ مَن يَطْلُبْهُ مِن ذِمَّتِهِ بِشَيْءٍ يُدْرِكْهُ، ثُمَّ يَكُبَّهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ» Translation: “Whoever prays the morning prayer (Fajr) is under Allah’s protection, so do not fall short in this regard, lest Allah demand from you His protection, and if He does, He will seize you and throw you face down into the Hellfire.”
From this hadith, we understand that anyone who performs the Fajr prayer enters into Allah’s protection. This means that Allah will guard such a person from calamities, assist him in all matters, and ease his affairs. But the one who neglects the Fajr prayer is outside of this divine guarantee and thus faces hardships, misfortunes, and difficulties. Therefore, to be protected from troubles and to fulfill our needs, we must be regular in performing the Fajr prayer.
Angelic gatherings occur at the times of Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. The angels assigned to the night shift arrive at ‘Asr, and the angels assigned to the day shift come at Fajr. Then the night angels leave at Fajr and the day angels depart at ‘Asr. Although Allah is the Knower of the unseen, He asks them about His servants, saying: “In what state did you leave My servants?” They respond: “We left them while they were praying, and we arrived while they were praying.” It is evident that the times during which angels gather are times of immense blessing, as angels are free from sin, beloved to Allah, and inherently inclined toward goodness. Thus, whoever is present at these two prayers receives divine blessings and spiritual rewards.
May Allah the Exalted grant all of us the ability to be fully committed to all the prayers and gain His pleasure.
By admin2
